NJ to get $130M in Passaic River pollution case

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — State officials say New Jersey will get $130 million from several international companies to settle some claims related to contamination of the Passaic River.

The settlement announced Tuesday clears the way for the state to press its case against the principal defendant, Occidental Chemical Corp., for cleanup costs on the former Diamond Alkali/Diamond Shamrock plant site.

The proposed settlement needs court approval before it can take effect, and it was not known when that might happen. State officials declined further comment on the deal, noting that the state and the settling defendants technically remain in litigation.